Shed Wood Burner - Safety Considerations

The installation of a stove into a shed, a log cabin or another off grid home is a fantastic idea. There are a few things to think about before doing so.

It is essential to ensure that your shed or cabin is properly insulated in order to limit the loss of heat and outdoor wood burner save fuel costs. Insulation can help reduce dampness and enhance the safety of fire.

Size

A shed log burner is the perfect way to heat the summer house or shed. It is crucial to choose the right stove and make sure it meets all safety standards. A stove that is too big isn't able to properly vent and can also rapidly soot up the flue. A stove that is too big will not be able heat the room adequately.

First, you'll need to determine the dimensions of the shed and then decide on the best location for the stove. Once you've decided on the location, you'll need to create an area for the stove to sit on. The hearth must be at least 12mm thick and constructed of a non-combustible material. The safe distance between a single wall flue pipe and any combustible material is 3x the diameter of the pipe however, this distance can be reduced by using an insulative panel as shielding.

Install the stove after you have created the hearth. Based on the type of stove you want to install, you may need to purchase an oven door, a stovepipe, or a damper. You'll also have to install a carbon monoxide detector in your shed or cabin in these places, since they are much smaller than homes and can be filled with dangerous CO gas quickly.

Installing a stove within a shed will require installing a chimney liner to ensure safety and stop condensation. Liner flues are available at most hardware shops and can be easily cut to the correct length. Use tin snips for removing the lid and bottom of the can. Be sure to bend any sharp corners inside.

Safety

Shed wood burner stoves burning stoves are effective and comfortable, however they must be installed in a safe manner. This includes the proper installation and use of the stove as well as an alarm for carbon monoxide and a fire extinguisher. To decrease the chance of a mishap it is essential to keep pets and children away from the stove.

Installing your shed stove by an HETAS registered installer is a great idea. They can make sure that the installation is carried out in compliance to building regulations. This includes relevant distances from a wall that is combustible. This could eliminate the requirement for a building control certificate which can save your time and money in the long time.

You must ensure that you burn well-seasoned, kiln-dried wood in your stove for your shed. Don't burn treated off-cuts as they release chemical compounds that can pollute air and lead to air pollution. It is also important to ensure that you have a properly sized chimney. A single wall flue is suitable for most sheds, however if you want to use a double wall stove in your shed, it will require a larger chimney.

The smoke from a wood-burning stove can be hazardous, especially to pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Smoke from a stove that burns wood could be harmful to those who suffer from asthma, COPD, heart disease as well as cats and dogs.

A fire-proof screen is recommended to protect pets and children from hot embers and sparks, and it is recommended to keep a book of fire logs and an extinguisher in case of an emergency. It is also recommended to avoid using gasoline or charcoal starter fluid near your shed stove. These substances are highly flammable and could trigger an explosion or flare-up should you make a mistake.

You could be living in a smoke-control region. This can affect the type of stove you can put in. You must select an appliance that is on the DEFRA (External link) approved appliance list.

Installation

The addition of a log burner to your shed or summer house is a fantastic idea and will bring you closer to nature in a way that isn't possible with a normal fireplace in your home. Having a log burning stove in your shed or garden can also be an ideal location for socializing and family gatherings as well as giving you the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without having to leave the comforts of your own home.

When installing an outdoor wood burner you'll need to think about the size of your summerhouse or shed and the output you require from the stove to heat it properly. You should also think about whether you are in a smoke control area and whether there are local laws governing planning that could affect the installation. Ideally, you should consult with an HETAS registered installer to help you plan your installation.

You'll need to know the size of the flue pipe your shed can handle before you can install a shed wood stove. This is typically a simple process and the manufacturer of your stove will be able to advise you on this. Once you have determined the size of the flue pipe, you can begin to search for shed-specific log burners for your summer house or shed.

Once you have chosen the right stove for your summerhouse or shed it is important to prepare the area for its installation. This involves removing any flammable materials and ensuring that there is an adequate distance of 1m from the shed to the front edge of the chimney stack. It is also essential to make sure that the stove is placed at least 2m away from the nearest combustible walls and that all combustible materials in the shed is covered with fire board or insulated.

You'll then have to install a hearth, which should be made from non-combustible materials and be at minimum 12mm thick. You can choose any type of concrete or stone, for example, but you should be cautious not to use sand as this could affect the stove's performance and cause a chimney fault. Also, you'll need a pair of twin wall flue pipes, class D air vent and chimney cowl.

Maintenance

Shed wood burners can be safely used when there is sufficient ventilation and a smoke detector is installed. If you plan to install a wood burner in your shed, ensure that the electrical installation is signed off by an electrician, and that any flammable material is kept away from the stove.

You should clean the glass and chimney of your log heater in your shed regularly. You can apply a light squirt of vinegar to remove any smudges or marks from the inside of the stove glass. However, make sure you don't get any vinegar inside the burner. You can also apply a mild solution of washing liquid on paper towel to clean the outside of the log burner glass.

Remember that shed log heaters are designed to make use of dry seasoned firewood. The moisture content of the wood should be less than 20%. The most effective method of determining the moisture level of your logs is to use a wood moisture meter. Store your wood in an area that is well ventilated. Keep flammable items such as furniture and curtains out of the shed. It is a good idea also to have the chimney cleaned at least year.